14 comments:

I really wish he'd decide and let people know if he's running for President.

On the other hand, though, I've heard some decent arguments lately that it might not be in his best interest to jump in this early. Ronmey was the darling of the right and he has already started to tarnish and dim.

Sweeper - what about an online poll of when Hagel announces? Pick dates. I pick March 16. lots of reasons. But Hagel has said in the "next couple of weeks" on several occasions. maybe this time its true.

I'm betting on this Fall. there is no need to jump in early, as Charlie correctly points out. All you do is open yourself to distruction. Wait for everyone to beat each other up, stroll in a few months before the primary and... well, whatever happens then.

While Hagel's days as Nebraska's senator are quickly coming to an end (no way does he want to be remembered as a three-term senator), his presidential prospects are better than most Nebraskans realize.

By this time in 2008, the U.S. will be the only western faction with troops in Iraq. Hagel, the longtime critic of Bush's Iraq plan, will quickly attract much attention from both mainstream Republicans and the news media.

Hagel's conservative voting record (compared to McCain's enviro-wackiness, and the Northeasterners' pro-gay agenda) will soon help him win more right-wing support. Neither McCain nor Romney nor Giuliani can possibly emerge from a GOP primary as "electable". Hagel can.

Give Chuck Hagel a chance to tell his life story: about how he grew up in the poor houses of western Nebraska; about how he raised his siblings when his father died at age 16; about how he dropped out of college to walk point in the jungles of Vietnam; how he and his brother served in the same infantry unit and earned five Purple Hearts; about how he was one of the youngest Reagan appointees to serve in DC; about how he became a self-made millionaire before the age of 40.

UPDATE: The Journal Star reports in Friday's editions that Hagel has STILL not decided. Though Don Walton reports that Hagel nearly decided to announce his plan to run for President when 5th graders approved of his candidacy. Hagel also refuses to be "pinned down" on a date for deciding.

On KFAB yesterday, Hagel went into some disjointed rambling statement about his considerations for family prior to making his presidential bid announcement. Once again, he said he'd have an announcement on his political future (such as it is) in a "couple of weeks". Despite his assertion of concern for how a national campaign would impact his family, seems rather obvious that he's going to make the run...to keep himself in the spotlight if nothing less.

1) Either yes or no (or maybe). Though I will say that with a sick child, things could change for him at any time.

2) I'd love to see the White-Esch Dem primary! And I'll say "no" on Kleeb right now.

3) The appropriate number would be four hundred eighty-three. Though Steve is welcome to rec Leavenworth Street whenever he wants, and we graciously and humbly accept Steve's props, and thank him for the shout-outs.